Automatic stabilizing device



May 5, 1925.

A. c. TRAPP Y AUTOMATIC STABILIZING DEVICE Filed sept. 1:2. 192s Patented May 5, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT @Erica essere 1 were Or .autrici/inria smarrrizrive pnvrcn.

Application led September 12, 1923. Serial 110.662,241.

State of VisCOnsin, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Automat-ic Stabilizing Devices; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full', clear, and exact .description thereof.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic stabilizing devices and is particularly directed to that class adapted for use upon ship-s, one embodiment of which is .disclosed inPatent No. 1,416,911 issued tome on the 23rd day ot May 1922. i

In my former patent I have provided ,a plurality of cargo .carryingunitsl which are adapted to be maintained in a level or stabilized position regardless of the pitch ,of the vessel. @In this .structure it has been `io'und that unless each unit is properly weigh-ted its -return to its normal position is somewhat retarded, and it is ,the object of this invention to provide means for returning the various units independently and collectively lto their normal positions.`

llt is ofcourse to be understood that my invention as described hereinafter is .not only applicable for use ,upon ships, but may be used as effectively upon aeroplanes, sleeping cars, o-r in Jfact for any device wherein it is desired to maintain an object or unit in a certain position.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1, is a side view, in elevation, of a ship, the hull of the same being broken away to disclose thel structure of the supporting means for the various units.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken line 2--2 ot `Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referringto the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters denote cor`- responding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 designates a` boat constructed in any desired manner and provided with a hull'2. The hull'2 has extending transverselyV thereof and adjacent its ends bulk-heads 3 and 4.

Fitted within the hull 2 is a rectangular Jframe 5 composed of the side walls 6 and the end walls 7, the latter having made integral therewith trunnions 8 which arel mounted for oscillation upon a roller race 9 formed in the on the K intermediate portion of each bulk-head. The

end portion of each trunnion has detachably I secured thereto, by the `bolts 10, al plate 11.1 which prevents 'any vlongitudinal movement oli' the trunnions within the bulk-heads, and turtherserves as a retainer for therollers forming the race 9. Referring to` Figure 3 it will be noted that the side walls 670i the `frame 5 `follow closely'the outlines of the sides of the hull.

The frame 5 has placed therein a plurality ot' cargo carrying units 12, each of which has formed integral therewith and on its side walls, trunnions 13 which pass through suita-ble openings within `the side walls 6, Aand each trunnion is adapted to ride upon a roller race 14 .fitted within each opening, in a manner similar'to that previously described. As in the former use of `this structure the trunnions 13 have secured to their end porw tions a plate 15. A

Usually in structure `of the character just described the weight of the ycargo .within each unit is ,depended `upon to maintain the same in a level or stabilized position, but in this invention vit is my purpose to provide means for performing this function in the 2 portions of flexible cables 17 which arev passed over suitable rollers 18 mounted upon the. outer face of each bulkhead. Each cable 17 has connected thereto at its free end a weight 19, the purpose of which is to assist in the return of the trame to its level or stabilized position.

'In a like manner I `have secured to the plates 15, secured to the trunnions of each unit 12, similar means for maintaining each unit in a level or stabilized position, and as disclosed in Figure 1 this means consists of the weights 20 secured to each plate 15 by means of the flexible cables 21 which pass over rollers 22 mounted upon the side Walls of the frame.

In the operation of a ship having thereon my improved stabilizing device, there will be no motion of the hull for which the units 12 cannot automatically maintain themselves in a level or stabilized position. When the hull is pitching longitudinally, each unit will swing upon its supiorting trunnions and when the hull `is rolling from' side to side the units 12 will all nieve together upon the longitudinal axes of the frame 5 supported by the trunnions 8. In each swing of the units or the frame by which they are supported, the weights connected thereto will assist in maintaining the elements in a level position.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages of the he-reindescribed invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is zl. A ship provided with a hull having pivoted longitudinally thereof a frame, car go carrying units pivoted transversely oit said frame, said units adapted to swing` with and independently of said trame, and means connected to the frame and each unit and carried by its respective supporting ele-- ment for maintaining the same in a level position.

2. A ship provided with a hull having pivoted longitudinally thereof a trame, a plurality of cargo units pivoted transversely of said trame, said i'raine and units adapted to swing upon. their pivots, and weights connected adjacent the pivot point of each unit and frame and carried by its respective supporting element for maintaining the same in a level position.

3. A ship provided with a hull having pivoted longitudinally thereof a frame and a plurality of cargo units pivoted transversely of said frame, said frame and units adapted to swing upon their pivots, weights connected to each unit and frame and carried by the supporting member therefor, tor maintaining the same in a level position. 4. A ship provided with a hull having pivoted longitudinally thereoi' a frame, a plurality of cargo units pivoted transversely or said frame, roller bearings at each pivot point, said frame and units adapted to swing upon their pivots, weights connected to each unit and trame and carried by the supporting member therefor, for maintaining the unit or frame in a level position.

5. A stabilizer of the class described comprising a main frame pivoted longitudinally of a carrier, a plurality of units pivoted to said frame, and weights connected adjacent the pivot point of each unit and frame for maintaining the saine in a level position. 6. A ship provided with a hull portion having pivoted longitudinally thereof a frame, cargo carrying units pivoted transversely of said iframe, means connected to each of said units adjacent its pivot point and carried by said frame igor maintaining said units in a level position, and said frame having similar means connected to its end portions adjacent its pivots and carried by its supporting element for maintaining said iframe in a level position.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto setmy hand at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of lvisconsin.

ALFRED C. TRAPP. 

